APRIL 24 - Easter Rising 1916

After nearly 700 years of occupation by the English, Ireland's most famous uprising, known most often as Easter Rising took place in April of 1916. The subsequent war of independence would finally see Ireland win her freedom and 33 years later on 18 April 1949, Easter Monday, the Republic of Ireland Act 1948 came into force, officially declaring Ireland a Republic. Easter Rising would last a total of six days and would included over 2 - 3 thousand volunteers across Ireland including 200 women of the Cumann na mBan and around 16,000 British troops. It was on this day 103 years ago that the uprising began. In the early morning of Easter Monday 1916, some 1,200 members of the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Citizens Army mustered at several locations in central Dublin. Just before midday, these rebels began to seize important sites in central Dublin. The plan was to hold Dublin city Centre. The rebels were able to take their positions with ease. They evacuated civilians and ejected or took police prisoner. Windows and doors were barricaded, supplies were secured and first aid sites were erected, as well as barricades on the streets to hinder the British army movement. One of the sites occupied was the General Post Office (GPO) on O’Connell Street, Dublin’s main thoroughfare. They raised 2 republican flags over the building and leader Patrick Pearse read the Proclamation of the Irish Republic just outside. The GPO would serve as the headquarters for the majority of the uprising The British military were caught totally unaware by the rebellion and their response of the first day was un-coordinated. The uprising would last until the 29th when the Irish Republicans eventually were forced to surrender.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOelQgxvJug

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